RTA to rename five Dubai Metro stations

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said that it will rename five Dubai Metro stations.

Al Fahidi Metro Station on the Green Line will be renamed as Sharaf DG Metro Station. The four other stations which will be renamed are all along the Red Line and include First Abu Dhabi Bank will now be known as Umm Al Sheef, Noor Bank will be renamed to Al Safa, Damac to Dubai Marina, and Nakheel to Al Khail.

On Tuesday, the RTA signed an agreement with the Sharaf Group to rename the Al Fahidi Metro Station on the Green Line. That station will now be renamed as Sharaf DG Metro Station.

“Sharaf Group has been keen to continue cooperation with the RTA that started with the launch of the Dubai Metro 11 year ago. We are privileged to continue our association with the RTA through the renaming of the ex Al Fahidi Metro Station as Sharaf DG Metro Station,” said Ibrahim Sharaf Al Hashmi, chairman of Sharaf Group.

#Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (@rta_dubai) signs an agreement granting Sharaf Group the naming rights of the ex-Al Fahidi Metro Station. Thus, the new name of the station has become Sharaf DG Metro Station.https://t.co/60TYtfiX0y pic.twitter.com/rlKV9cip0A

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 24, 2020

The Sharaf DG Metro Station lifts more than 7.8 million riders per annum, reported Dubai Media Office.

The station borders Dubai landmarks including the Dubai Museum, Heritage Village and the Grand Souk.

The RTA launched the Dubai Metro stations naming rights initiative in 2009 which has seen several partners over the years including Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre of Majid Al Futtaim Group.

“The metro stations naming rights initiative offers a fabulous investment opportunity to private firms and organisations in various trading, financial and service sectors in the UAE. It enables investors to showcase their names and brands in a vibrant city like Dubai with such a high-profile standing in the business, service, finance and tourist industries,” said Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of Rail Agency.

Commenting on the strategy that will be employed while renaming the station, Hasan Al-Mutawa, director of Rail Operation, Rail Agency, RTA said: “RTA embarked on a plan starting on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 and continuing up to the first week of February 2021 to finalise the renaming of five metro stations. The process involves updating names on the external signs and the smart and E-Systems of the public transport network as well as the voice notice onboard the metro trains”